“All I really need is a phone number. Uh, a phone number and maybe finding out if a particular person is still married or not,” she added hastily.
Ian laughed. “I wouldn’t have thought you needed anyone’s help to get whatever fortunate man you’ve set your cap for.”
Lauren made an impatient sound. “It’s not for me, silly. It’s for Maddy. Look, I can see I started this off all wrong, so let me begin again. Do you happen to know a man by the name of James Butterfield? He’s one of your countrymen, probably early to mid sixties, some sort of banker.”
Now Ian was genuinely intrigued. “Yes, of course I know James. I mean, he’s obviously more my father’s friend than mine, but I’m certainly acquainted with him. Why do you ask?”
“Well, without giving away too many family secrets, your friend James had a thing for my aunt twenty-odd years ago. And, well, it turned out to be this tragic love affair, they had to end things because of his crazy wife, blah, blah, blah. But he’s the reason my aunt never married, ‘cause she’s still in love with him, and I thought I’d try a little matchmaking. Provided he’s divorced or widowed or otherwise single at the moment, of course. I figured all you rich British dudes must know each other, so I called Julia last night to get your number and here I am.”
Ian stared blankly at the phone receiver, his head spinning a bit at Lauren’s rapid fire summation. “I, ah, see. Well, I’m afraid I don’t know what James’s current marital status is, or his telephone number. But I’d be happy to make a call or two and see what I can find out. Tell you what. Give me your number and I’ll get back to you within the hour.”
“Really?” Lauren sounded delighted at this offer. “Ian, that’s so nice of you! I know how uber busy you must be, and I hate to bother you, and this is probably a dead end, but I do want to try. I want my aunt to have her happy ever after. Just like you and Tessa.”
“It’s no bother at all,” he assured her. “A phone call or two is all it is, and I owe my father a call anyway. And I understand about wanting Madelyn to be happy. Especially since I’m currently the happiest man in the universe. The least I can do is help someone else find a little of that happiness.”
Lauren recited her cell phone number. “I appreciate it, Ian. No matter what the results are.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s good news. Tell me, though,” he inquired curiously. “This is a wonderful thing you’re doing for your aunt, but when will it be your turn to get a happy ever after, as you call it?”
Lauren was silent for several seconds before assuring him cheekily, “I’m in no hurry whatsoever for that to happen, Ian. I’ve still got too many other places I want to see, lots of adventures yet to have. I’ll settle down one of these days. But for now, as long as the people closest to me are happy, then I am, too.”
Ian smiled. “You’re really just an old softie, aren’t you? That tough girl image is all a farce, isn’t it?”
“No,” she scoffed. “It is definitely not a farce. Don’t try making me into something I’m not, Ian. I’m not a romantic like Julia, or a sweet young thing like your Tessa.”
Ian cleared his throat, more than a little discomfited at Lauren’s bluntness. “She’s not that young,” he replied defensively.
Lauren gave a hoot of laughter. “A bit sensitive about the age difference, are we? Hey, if anyone dares to call you a cradle robber just tell them to fuck off. Especially since you landed the hot babe. Tessa’s a lucky girl and you can tell her I said so.”
He was flabbergasted at her audacity, and was silently grateful he’d never worked up the nerve to ask her out on a date last year. “I, ah – thank you for your vote of confidence, Lauren. Now, it’s already late afternoon in England so let me make those calls, hmm?”
Less than an hour later, Lauren had the answers – and the phone number – that she wanted, and gleefully began to put the next phase of her plan into motion.
***
Maddy gave her niece another lookover, and smiled with pleasure at Lauren’s appearance. “You look lovely tonight, darling. This was a wonderful idea you had – getting all dressed up and treating ourselves to a fancy dinner. Exactly what both of us needed to cheer ourselves up.”
Lauren winked at her aunt. “I agree. And you look – sensational, Aunt Maddy. Way more like my older sister than my aunt.”
Maddy flushed slightly, but it was obvious that Lauren’s compliment had pleased her. And she did look incredible for a woman of fifty-two, easily able to pass for someone ten to fifteen years younger. Her blonde hair was cut in a soft, layered style that framed her fine boned face, while her makeup was tastefully applied. Her figure was as trim and toned as ever, and she still wore a size six. Given her profession, her taste in clothing was naturally exquisite, like the classy blue Donna Karan sheath dress with a wrap-over neckline and ruffled cap sleeves she wore tonight. Navy leather Manolo Blahnik pumps and sapphire jewelry finished off her outfit.
Lauren didn’t miss all the interested male gazes directed her aunt’s way, and she gave a very satisfied little smile. Of course, in order to convince Maddy of her good intentions, Lauren had felt obliged to girly herself up, too. She’d curled her hair, made up her face, and put on a summery yellow floral Dolce and Gabbana dress, along with yellow satin ankle strap sandals that were already starting to hurt her feet. Fortunately, she thought smugly, she would only have to remain in this get-up for another half hour or so – the time it would take to finish setting her plan in motion, then get a taxi back to the apartment and take the stupid shoes off.
So far everything had gone wonderfully, far, far better than she could have ever hoped for, and she kept her fingers crossed that her little scheme wouldn’t wind up backfiring on her. As she and Maddy approached the corner table Lauren had browbeaten the reservation clerk into giving her, butterflies began to flutter in her tummy – a very unfamiliar feeling for someone who’d been on all manner of extreme adventures.
As the hostess placed two menus on the table, and the man already seated there rose slowly to his feet, Maddy froze in her tracks. Her eyes were wide with shock, her jaw hanging open in disbelief. Lauren placed a hand on her arm, urging her forward, but Maddy remained rooted in place.
“What have you done?” she whispered to Lauren wildly. “Lauren, how – how is he - ”
“It’s okay, Aunt Maddy,” Lauren whispered back. “A friend tracked him down in London for me, and I called him yesterday. He booked the first flight he could get on, and arrived in New York this morning. And, more importantly, he’s been a widower for about eighteen months and is still crazy about you. Now, go, would you? Give the man a hug, for God’s sake!”
“James.” Maddy’s voice was whisper soft.
James Butterfield’s handsome face lit up with a smile that was filled with so much love and longing it brought tears to Lauren’s eyes. He wore a beautifully tailored navy pinstriped suit, a pure white shirt, and an expertly knotted silk tie. His thick black hair was liberally shot through with gray, evidence of his sixty-plus years, but he was still undeniably attractive.
“Madelyn. My God, it’s really you. My Maddy. My little love.”
His last words were barely audible, but Maddy evidently heard them very clearly, because the next thing Lauren saw was her aunt being enfolded in the arms of the man she’d loved for half her life.
Lauren stayed long enough to share a champagne toast with the reunited lovers, and to briefly explain to Maddy how she had been able to contact James and do some speedy matchmaking. James, in his delightful British accent, told Maddy gently that Miranda had indeed passed away over a year ago after a long battle with cancer.
But when the waiter came to take their dinner orders, Lauren got to her feet. “Actually, this is strictly a party of two this evening. I’m headed back home to order in some sushi, watch the latest Fast and Furious movie on pay per view, and take these stupid shoes off.”